Scouting Ryan Moore: In his first start for the Hurricanes last week, Moore caught four passes for 67 yards and one touchdown, showing coaches the ability that had him rated among the best high school receivers in the country in 2001. This redshirt freshman is big at 6 feet 3, 200 pounds, but he has deceptive speed. What UM coaches like most about him is that he has a smoothness to his route running, which allows him to make acrobatic catches.

Scouting Keiwan Ratliff: Ratliff, who was the only player in the nation to score on a pass reception and an interception return last season, is talented enough to play on both sides of the ball. But because injuries have depleted Florida's secondary, the Gators are relying on him to be their lock-down cornerback. He showed signs of that kind of ability last season, getting named to the first team All-SEC after finished the year with 53 tackles (six for loss), two sacks, and one interception. He also broke up nine passes.

Analysis: Ratliff won't be assigned to Moore specifically. In Florida's defensive scheme he moves around, playing on the side of the field opposite the hash mark the ball's on, so he'll likely face a number of receivers. But those one-on-one matches with Moore will be key because Ratliff doesn't have the size to match up with Moore physically. But he is faster and much more experienced.

Comment: "The first thing that jumps out at you is their speed. [Miami] has a lot of speed, and when you have speed like that they are going to go over the top. Then they have Ryan Moore, who is young and very talented. They call him the next Andre Johnson, so putting him in those shoes must mean they think a lot about his ability," Ratliff said.

QUOTABLE

"This game is a state game, you got to play with pride. This can determine the season, and it means more because I know some friends at Florida. We all know other players on their team, and that makes it a bigger game." -- UM receiver Roscoe Parrish